The annual event, sponsored by the Doylestown Business and Community Alliance, draws hundreds of people to the center of town for the big arrival. This year was no exception, as the warmer weather made for a perfect night.

Santa was guided into town by the Central Bucks West marching band. The CB West Choir sang holiday standards for the crowd as they waited for the jolly old elf.

The DBCA’s army of festive volunteers served free cider and cookies to the crowd.

The crowning moment of the evening was the tree lighting.

Santa arrives in Doylestown, as the Fox is driven by fire company president Bill Cope and his wife Jan.The Fox leaves with the jolly fat man and his elves from Station 19.

On the morning of November 20, Bucks County Emergency Communications dispatched Doylestown Fire Company to Box 19-16, 3826 Old Easton Road, for a building fire at the Arbonite Corp at 0532.. While en route, dispatchers reported multiple reports of fire through the roof, including from a Doylestown Borough Police Dept. sergeant. Battalion 19, Paul Kreuter arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire, with fire through the roof of the 150×100 1 story building. All companies were ordered to go in service with master stream devices, and a tanker task force was ordered for water supply. Car 98, the Bucks County Hazardous Incident Team, was notified and requested to send a representative due to the presence of multiple products in the industrial coatings company. There were multiple explosions, and heavy fire could be seen for miles.

Deputy 19, Mike Wood, struck the 2nd alarm at 0555, and special called foam units from Penndel and Milford. Central Bucks Ambulance set up a rehab area, and Doylestown Canteen 19 was dispatched for fireground support. Covers came from Bucks, Montco and Hunterdon County, NJ.

The third alarm was struck at 0624, bringing companies from all over Bucks County and Montgomery Township and Colmar in Montgomery County. Companies attacked the fire from both Old Easton Road and Easton Road on the west side of the incident. There were 2 fill sites for the tankers. Multiple elevated master streams were placed in service, as well as ground appliances. The Bucks Haz-mat team monitored the air and worked with the company on the contents of the building, and found minimal risk to the air.

The fire was placed under control at 0740. Companies were on scene for most of the day wetting down hot spots. There were no fire related injuries, but 1 firefighter was transported for a medical emergency. The Bucks County Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Ingenuity from Doylestown firefighter Bill Price to create a hose bridge with lumber supplied by Doylestown Lumber allowed tankers to transit from the fill site to the drop along Easton Road. Photo- Rick Schea

Heavy smoke pushes from the office doors on side A.

Ladder 79 directs it’s ladder pipe on the B side of the building.

Crew from E95 with a blizfire in service side A.

Ladder 79 at work as a Blitzfire in service on side A.

Lingohocken firefighters with a Blitzfire on side A.

Fire spreads to the office area of the Arbonite building on Side A.

The fill site on Easton Road. Photo BC79 Bret Morris

Crew from Midway uses a master stream to protect an exposure on side D.

An explosion rocks the A/B corner.

Engine 19 on Side A

As the sun began to rise, BC79 took this shot of the fire from the west side.

Fire from the B exposure before the ladders set up.

A forklift from Doylestown Lumber delivers the wood for the hose ramp. Photo- BC79 Bret Morris

Chris Manion and Steve Cantrell of the Travis Manion Foundation were the guests of honor at the monthly business meeting of Doylestown Fire Company on November 7, 2012. They came to present a check for $5000 to the fire company, part of the funds raised by the foundation though the Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run, which this year was held in over 30 locations around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The race and foundation is held in memory and honor to all who have served in the military and emergency services, and to Doylestown native Travis Manion, who was killed in action while serving as a Marine in 2007.

The funds will go to a scholarship fund that benefits Doylestown Fire Company members and families. The scholarship fund was established in 2011. This year’s recipients are Craig Lager and Jessica Meisinger-McDonald, who are both college freshmen this fall.

Fire Company president Bill Cope, Deputy Chief Michael Wood, and Fire Marshal Steve Walther accepted the check on behalf of the fire company.

The fire company has responded to over 500 emergency calls in 2012. The all-volunteer membership recorded over 15,000 hours of service to the Doylestown community in 2011.

Chris Manion (3rd from left) presents a check to Doylestown Fire Company president Bill Cope for $5000. Preseting with Manion is Steve Cantrell (l). Also accepting for the fire company are Deputy Chief Mike Wood (2nd from left) and Fire Marshal Steve Walther (far right).